Tammy, Isn't it? How come attitude is one of the most important, do you think?
Dr. Jean Norris
Attitude....is very thing
Kim, Interesting! Do you feel the other competencies are important at all? If so, how?
Dr. Jean Norris
Julie, Well said, however, don't forget sales skills! How are sales skills helpful to an admissions representative?
Dr. Jean Norris
For my opinion, I think attitude and product knowledge are the most critical to the admissions professional. The elements are critical to serving students in an ethical fashion because attitude element shows how an administrative person shows her/his attitude and behave to student and It is the first impression for student in the first time they meet administrative person. When an administrative professional has these skills, they are able to help and answer prospective students questions and make them satisfy with information provided.
The elements that I believe that are most critical to the admissions professional is product knowledge, people skills and attitude. Having thorough knowledge of your product when talking to prospective clients (students) gives them a more confidence in the understanding of the product and concerns. Having people skills and good attitude will help make them open up and is more comfortable to discuss on how we can make their goal be possible, also with good attitude will make transitioning easier. These elements are definitely critical to admission professionals without these elements we would not be very successful in our field.
Nikeline, We agree! Attitude is one of the most important. Do you think it's important to be 100% proficient in all the elements to be successful?
Dr. Jean Norris
1. Attitude, because even if (I'm not saying the rest aren't very important )you have a good attitude and lack the rest you can still make a great impression becuase of your attitude .
Julie, Great awareness! And that is correct, attitude and people skills make up 75% of what is needed of the four elements of success. What is the reason, do you think, that attitude is important to serving students in an ethical fashion?
Dr. Jean Norris
Attitude! If a rep has a bad attitude or even comes off in a negative way when greeting a prospective student, that student has already made their decision not to attend at that school. Rep's need to realize and understand that about 25% of a student's enrollment is the school. The other 75% is how the rep treated them and helped them through the process.
MARIA, Thank you for sharing. I want to make sure that I understand correctly, you feel that product knowledge is most important, then people skills, then sales skills? If that is correct, how do you feel each of these skills is important to the admissions professional?
Dr. Jean Norris
1 APTITUDE
2 SKILLS
3 SALES
Product Knowledge is very important because as you noted, we want to provide accurate information; however the other elements help to make up the well-rounded professional. If you had to choose one that you think you may need to work on improving, which would that be for you David?
Dr. Jean Norris
Product Knowledge is most important so you do not ptovide prospective students with incorrect information
Product knowledge is most critical so you can provide prospective student with the correct information about your institution
Maria,
These are excellent sources of information that could be very valuable for a student. How do you make sure all employees are aware of the many thing you offer to students to help them?
Dr. Jean Norris
Maria,
There is ONE more that isn't discussed much these days but still an important element. Do you know which one it is?
Dr. Jean Norris
giving the student additional rescoures that they can utilize to get more information on the course they are applying for.
discussing the Library resources available to them
discussing the instructors credentials
Knowledge, People skills, attitude
Great point Marisela, the most successful admissions professionals are proficient in all four elements. What can you do to become proficient in all four elements?
Dr. Jean Norris
